The term "triptych" - whose name
stems from the Greek for "three folds" - is used in fine
art to describe a painting
which consists of three parts, usually comprising a larger central panel
and two wings that are hinged together so that the wings fold over the
centre when closed. Sometimes there is a base, called a predella,
below the central panel. These hinged panel
paintings were one of the most popular forms of altarpiece
art from the medieval era on. Like stained
glass art, as well as mosaics and
illusionist mural painting - known as quadratura
- painted altarpieces (whether in diptych, triptych
or polyptych format) served to inspire and
educated Christian congregations with Biblical
art from the Old Testament and the Gospels.

This type of Christian
art first appeared in early Eastern Orthodox churches: indeed it became
a regular feature of Christian
Art in the Byzantine Era (c.400-1200). Later they were popular in
Gothic art (notably in Germany
until the late 16th century), as well as in medieval
painting of the trecento
and quattrocento
when a new format became popular - the Madonna and Child with Saints ("Sacra
Conversazione"). Triptych paintings were also common in the Netherlandish
Renaissance (1430-1580): perhaps the two best-known examples are Portinari
Altarpiece (1476-79, Uffizi) by Hugo Van Der Goes (1440-82); and the Garden
of Earthly Delights (1500-05, Prado, Madrid) by Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516).

Triptychs may also be wholly carved. This
type of 3-part wood carving
was most popular in German
Gothic art. In addition, the format is also known in Jewellery
art, in the ornamentation of Romanesque plaques, caskets and vessels,
as illustrated by the Stavelot Triptych.

Triptychs are also an occasional feature
of modern art: famous exponents include
Max Beckmann (1884-1950) and Francis Bacon (1909-92). Twentieth-century
triptychs are also occasionally seen in contemporary
Art Photography, and in Video Art,
see, for example, the Nantes Triptych (1992) by Bill Viola.

Famous
Triptychs

In addition to the two cited above, here
are a list of religious paintings
created in triptych format during the 14th century, the Italian and Northern
Renaissance, and the Baroque: